East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) – Bridging the Gap – Revolutionizing Connectivity in Malaysia
The ECRL project involves the construction of a new railway line spanning approximately 665 kilometers from Kota Bharu in Kelantan (on the east coast) to Port Klang in Selangor (on the west coast). The railway line will pass through several states, including Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Selangor.
Once completed, the ECRL will provide a rail link for both freight and passenger services, connecting key industrial areas, ports, and economic zones along the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The project is expected to have a positive impact on various sectors, such as trade, tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing.
The ECRL project is designed to facilitate the transportation of goods, including palm oil, timber, and other commodities, from the East Coast states to the west coast ports for export purposes. It will also provide an efficient transportation option for passengers traveling between the east and west coasts, reducing travel time and improving connectivity.
The ECRL project itself represents a significant investment in Malaysia’s transportation infrastructure. This major undertaking will inspire investor confidence, attracting both local and foreign investments. The inflow of capital into Port Klang’s industrial property market will stimulate development and drive property value appreciation. Investors and industrial players recognize the long-term potential and the competitive edge offered by Port Klang’s strategic location with the ECRL.
The ECRL project, a 50:50 joint venture between Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) and China Communications Construction (CCCC), has made significant progress, reaching 40.81 percent completion in Q2 2023. The project, initially announced in 2016, has experienced various challenges and changes, including temporary cancellation in 2018 followed by revival and alterations to its alignment. The construction cost has been revised multiple times, and currently, the project is being implemented with a reduced cost of RM11.01 billion compared to the original approved budget of RM85.97 billion in 2016, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement in December 2022.
The ECRL entails a 665 km route connecting Kota Bharu to Port Klang, featuring 59 tunnels. It is scheduled to be fully completed by December 2026, with operations expected to commence in January 2027.
